Implementation of Knowledge Management to improve performance in national government departments in South Africa

Abstract

Government Departments are still lagging behind in implementing Knowledge Management. Managing knowledge is critical to the success and longevity of any business. Whilst the private sector is gaining traction in this management practice, government is still behind. The benefits of knowledge management are improved decision making, increased innovation and business efficiency. The unique barriers to implementing Knowledge Management in government departments warrant investigation. The purpose of this research was to identify barriers to implementing knowledge management processes and systems in national government departments in South Africa and to rate the extent of significance to knowledge management implementation. Methodology used to collect data was an online survey questionnaire. The sample was taken from the population of National Department of Transport employees, and results generalised to all national government departments. Thirty-five (35) statements on a 7-point Likert scale were used. Using Principal Component Analysis, 6 components were extracted and analysed. The 6 components were 1) strength of knowledge management leadership 2) departmental support of knowledge management, 3) level of employee interaction, 4) use of technology, 5) accessibility of technology and 6) level of team work. Seventy-five (75) participants, who were managers, senior managers and knowledge experts responded to the questionnaire. The study found that the barriers to knowledge management were strength of knowledge management leadership, level of employee interaction, departmental support, and use of technology. The study also identified the most significant barriers in implementing knowledge management in government departments were the “strength of knowledge management leadership” and the “level of employee interaction”. A further study on leadership in government departments in implementing knowledge management in recommended. Future research examining the level of interaction among government employees related to increased sharing of tacit knowledge is also recommended